in quirks started meeting day after day. more important than the fact that the women led the way was the fact that it was truly bipartisan. we had seven republicans, six democrats and my independent colleague from maine angus cain. >> leadership came in and cracks the point was that we came together and the

basic framework we agreed on was basically what they did. we were ready to announce our agreement and they worked with us. we were talking to them. it wasn't like we were off on our own. the bigger thing is on this issue of the women and the leadership. there's our group but there's also the fact that susan led the farm bill in the senate that passed. barbara boxer was somehow able to get with senator imhoff and work out an agreement on the transportation bill and then with senator victor on the water resources development act. vitter onator the water resources development act. i guess it is because we keep getting elected.

i get to go to these chairman's inches and see all the women leadership roles makes a big difference. what susan said is true. you look at the violence against women act, the women in the senate, every single one of us voted for that bill. that is what broke the dam so that the house really adopted some of the provisions in the senate know that were important to women and other things. this has been happening time and again where things are going pretty bad and the women are able to step in. i hope we see more and more of it in the future. i especially hope we see it on some of these judge confirmations going forward. >> you know, one quick comment on that. any raises a really important point. there is critical mass of women , but alsoate now women are in key leadership roles.

back in 2003 when i was chairman of the homeland security committee, i was the only woman who was chair of a major committee. this is a sea change. >> by the way there are no women chairs in the house. i believe that is a case. >> we're almost out of time, but obviously so much of what is behind the distaste with congress and frankly the washington -- and frankly washington in general is because he can't seem to get anything done and can't work with each other. given the progress that women -- as some of you women of the isate have been able to do, because there are more moderates like yourself or the fact that you actually spend time together at these dinners? we know each other and we

know where we can find common ground and where we can't. it's like a washington used to run. people knew about each other and cared about each other. that makes a major difference. we can really get there by walking around in a flight suit. actually. have, when i was running for prosecutor i would've cecily look at janet napolitano's website because she was focused on results. chiesomeone said that women candidates speak softly and carry a big statistic. i do think we speak softly, but i do think we are more focused on those numbers and accountability and results. i think that makes a big difference and i'm very hopeful as we add more women to the senate we have some opportunities in this next election that the culture can change.

we did have for the first time in the history of the united states of america a traffic jam in the women senators bathroom last fall. it was a first and we want to see more of that. that is just the basic idea that you get people in there who like get other and you can things done instead of standing on the opposite corner of a boxing ring throwing punches. you finally realize that courage isn't just that, it is standing next to someone you don't always agree with for the betterment of this country. >> i want to stress amy's last point and that is, women's and span the spectrum of ideological viewpoints. women of the senate are more likely to collaborate and to realize that we can disagree on an issue but still seek common ground.

that is what has changed in the years that i have been in washington. there has been a reluctance to try to sit down, find out what is most important to the other side and seek common ground. it used to be that those of us in the middle who sought lauded for our efforts. now it seems we are vilified. >> just in the last minute or so we have left, here are the big questions when it comes to women's leadership. hillary clinton, you democratic women senators all signed this highly secretive letter that we all know about -- >> nothing is sacred anymore. -- encouraging hillary to run for president. >> our people are very excited about the possibility of her running.

there is no surprise. we all signed the letter, including elizabeth, asking elizabeth to run. >> is this just a acclamation, ? >> emocratic primary act go >> there is a lot of positive support. >> so if she doesn't run, then amy klobuchar runs for you notice she is traveling all over. ? >> thank you very much.

>> coming up on c-span, a look at sugar policy in the u.s.. "washington journal" begins live a.m. >> c-span, we bring public affairs events from washington directly to you. putting you in the room at congressional hearings, white house events, briefings and conferences at offering complete gavel to gavel coverage of the all as a public service of private industry. we are c-span, created by the cable industry for years ago and funded by your local cable or satellite provider. now you can watch us in hd. >> this video went viral with

more than 3.5 million viewers. he spoke to law students earlier this year for one hour and 50 minutes. >> thank you, david. thank all of you for coming and it is just wonderful. marsha cohen even gave me a decal the put on my car so i am fully equipped. i really want to acknowledge many of men mentors during this past year in the audience. several of the people here as well they're done a tremendous job. i have to say it was really an absolutely thrilling year. i wouldn't have given it up for the world. the homework was another story. [laughter] today, i want to talk to about

what got me to law school in the first place, and hopefully, light a fire under all of you. in the way i first felt this as i started researching the topic. it is appropriate that this talk today be done on the 50th anniversary of the march on washington, because we are going to talk about a different form of oppression, one that is a little bit more pernicious. i also have a dream, and that dream is that our food supply would confer wellness, not illness. i have to take care of obese kids. we are losing the battle. the problem is, we are going to continue to lose the battle until we fix the food supply. i'm going to try to explain to you why that is and what we can do about it during the course of this lecture. i hope it won't be so hyperbolic as to get you all shouting in